70 Years Later, Nebraska Will Honor WWII Hero

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

During the first break in Saturday's Nebraska-Purdue game, the Huskers will honor the longest overdue hero in the 91-year history of Memorial Stadium. Sadly, the U.S. Army took 70 years to recognize a 1st lieutenant whose valor was posthumously honored nine years after his death in 2005. A native of Hooper, Neb., and younger brother of a West Point Cadet who was killed in WWII action, Donald K. Schwab served his country with distinction. He went on to engage in combat in Sicily, Italy, France, and the French-German border. He lived to age 86 and died without knowing he would receive the highest award for valor that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Forces – the United States Medal of Honor.

Lieutenant Schwab distinguished himself with acts of gallantry during combat operations as the Commander of Company E in the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. For his extraordinary heroism, Schwab was awarded the U.S. Army Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and several other medals to honor his selfless leadership in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Last March, nine years after his death, Donald Schwab was awarded the honor he deserved – the United States Army Medal of Honor for Distinguished Service, presented by President Barack Obama, who also cited 23 other Army veterans following a congressionally mandated review to honor those who met rigid standards. Nine recipients were honored for distinguished service in the Korean War, eight for the Vietnam War and seven for WWII service.

In a March 18 White House ceremony, Dr. Terry Schwab, left, accepted his father's U.S. Army Medal of Honor.

Obama: We Had a Chance to Set the Record Straight

“We had a chance to set the record straight,” Obama said in a White House ceremony last March 18, referring to Distinguished Service Cross honorees who were passed over to receive the highest award by what many believe was racial, ethnic or religious bias. Schwab’s last name may have fit two of those categories, but the imperfections of a painful past were re-examined and enabled a number of soldiers to become deserving recipients of the Army’s highest honor.  On Saturday, Nebraska welcomes Schwab’s five surviving children to acknowledge their father’s posthumous honor. His three daughters are Susan Schwab Bohling of Blair, Neb.; Ann Schwab McClusky of Leawood, Kan.; and Dr. Mary Ellen Schwab Beshaler from Arnold, Neb., plus his two surviving sons – Dr. Terry Schwab of Fort Scott, Kan.; and Dr. Rob Schwab of LaVista, Neb.

Terry Currey, a United States Air Force staff sergeant and air traffic controller who served in Viet Nam, helps Nebraska Athletics coordinate our annual Veterans Day/Military Salute. In Currey’s meticulous research of Schwab, he formed a strong opinion. “Donald Schwab was a humble, unassuming, hard-working, God-fearing American,” Currey said. “He was a prime example of what Tom Brokaw called our Greatest Generation.”

The late Donald K. Schwab spent 30 years as a rural mail carrier in his hometown of Hooper, Neb., after WWII.

Company Commander: Toughest Job in the Army

Company commander may be the toughest job in the Army because it’s the last link in the chain of command. Schwab had to look soldiers in the eye and send them on missions knowing they may not return. He inspired soldiers to do what must be done. On September 17, 1944, in combat against the Germans in Lure, France, Schwab was forced to advance his troops into the field twice before being forced to fall back to cover. On the third attempt, he maneuvered his troops to within 50 yards before they had to hit the dirt. He evacuated the wounded and rallied his troops. When he lost 40 percent of his force, Schwab, without hesitation, single-handedly rushed one of the machine guns while dodging enemy fire. When he reached the gunner, he clubbed him with the butt of his rifle and horse-collared instead of shooting him.

Those who survive a year of continuous combat, death and severe wounds don’t see themselves as heroes and don’t want to relive the experience with anyone when they return home. In life as in war, Schwab put others first, focused on his family and made sure all five of his children graduated from college. He was dedicated to his church, his community, and his job. He spent 30 years as a rural mail carrier in his hometown. Judging by everything that led up to that, some might say that Schwab delivered the mail in every conceivable sense you can imagine.

Cornerstones of U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipient:

I will always place the mission first

I will never accept defeat

I will never quit

I will never leave a fallen comrade

Maralee Schwab receives Donald's Medal of Honor from an Army General at a special ceremony in Hooper, Neb. Health prevented travel to Washington, D.C., but Donald's widow plans to be in Lincoln Saturday.

Bios of Nebraska Honorary Gate Sentinels

Nebraska Athletics is proud to announce eight Nebraskans as honorary gate sentinels for our 2014 Veteren's Day/Military Salute: 

From Omaha, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joann Legendre served with the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in Viet Nam as a field hospital operating room nurse, one of 7,300 women to deploy to that combat theater.

From Milford, former U.S. Army Private First Class Charley Ackerman served in Korea as an infantry rifleman. He was severely wounded in action and returned to the United States for treatment. The next week, his entire infantry company was wiped out.

From Lincoln, former U.S. Navy Seaman Robert Larkins served as an engine room fireman aboard the USS Missouri, the World War II battleship on which the Japanese signed their unconditional surrender.

From Byron and now living in Chester, former U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Reuben Schleifer served in World War II in Europe, first as an Air Corps reconnaissance pilot, then with Army intelligence, translating German documents into evidence against Nazi war criminals at Nuremburg.

From Lincoln, former U.S. Army Sergeant Robert Cather served in the Pacific in World War II as a combat infantry platoon scout in the New Guinea, Leyte, and Luzon campaigns.

From Tekamah, former U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Gerald Wortman served in the Pacific in World War II as a sniper and machine gunner. His unit was decorated for decisive action under fire during the amphibious assault and 82 days of battle on Okinawa.

From Lincoln, Sergeant Major Scott Langan is a 31-year veteran of the Nebraska Army National Guard serving in operations for the 110th Multifunctional Medical Battalion. A flight medic, he’s a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

From Sterling, Master Sergeant Sarah Bredthauer serves as the Prime BEEF manager for the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Civil Engineering Squadron. She recently returned home from deployment to Kuwait to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

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